The key to remember is that you only get points for the stones you throw that end up closer to the bull’s eye than all of your opponent’s stones. (Think of petanque or bocce ball, if you’ve ever played.) So in practice, it’s rare for a good team to have more than one stone per round (“end,” in curling parlance) that actually scores.

Last night, Vancouver, British Columbia welcomed the world, as over 2,600 winter athletes from 82 countries entered the BC Place arena, ready to compete in 86 events in 15 different sports. The opening ceremony focused on Canadian diversity and heritage, with emphasis on the many cultures of the First Nations. After the longest Torch Relay in history, the Olympic Flame has come to rest and now lights the cauldron of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.